The RFSA 2012 Scholarships and the inaugural Member of the Year awards were announced at an exciting State Council Dinner on Friday 22 June.

Bevan Michel, Division 9; Stephanie Huysmans, Division 8 and Elizabeth Philpott, Division 2 each received a Chris Lord Memorial Scholarship in honour of the late RFSA President and will use their scholarship to study a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Elise Tasker, Division 4 was awarded a President’s Scholarship and will commence a Bachelor of Emergency Management at Charles Sturt University.

The intent of the scholarship is to enhance the recipient’s professional and personal development.

All four scholarship recipients are outstanding representatives of both the NSW Rural Fire Service Association and the NSW Rural Fire Service. They each have demonstrated a commitment to the fire service and to protecting their communities; and expressed the desire and application to study to further enhance their skills in order to provide greater levels of community service,” said Brian McKinlay, the RFSA’s President.

“It is the Association’s pleasure to be able to assist these four members in their quest for further knowledge and we wish them the best of success with their study.”

During the evening the inaugural Rural Fire Service Association Member Awards were also announced.

“There are many and varied reasons why we do what we do,” explained Winnie Wilson, Chairperson of the Association’s Honours and Award Committee.

"Yet one of our central motivators is that we have a desire to make a difference to those around us and the recipients of these awards have done just that.”

Clifford Fitness Senior, Taree Communications RFB, Division 3 was acknowledged as the 2011 RFSA Member of the Year and Elise Tasker, Illawong Rural Fire Brigade was named the 2011 RFSA Young Member of the Year.

2011 Young Member of the Year, Elise Tasker and 2011 Member of the Year, Clifford Fitness Snr.

“It is wonderful to recognise the efforts and selflessness of our 2011 recipients, Cliff and Elise,and we are really looking forward to seeing the Awards grow in the future.” Mrs Wilson said.

The evening’s program also included two guest speakers, Geoff Provest MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and NSW RFS Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons. Both guests provided the opportunity for questions to be asked by those present.

Another highlight of the evening was a presentation by John Parnaby and Ben Nolan who partook in the NSW RFS Courage Under Fire-RFSA Kokoda Trek in April.

Both trekkers shared their experiences and a moving audiovisual presentation interwove images from the WWII Kokoda campaign with photos taken during the trek. John and Ben presented the Association with a plaque to be hung in the RFSA office.

I’d like to echo the sentiments expressed by General Manager, Bernard Cox of how wonderful it was to see our members being rewarded for their efforts in developing the Association via the Member of the Year Awards and to also see the Association’s assistance to members in the development of their careers with our Scholarship program.

On a more serious note, it is with dismay we note the reduction in the Rural Fire Fighting Fund from the sum of $271 million in last year’s budget to the figure of $263 million in the FY12/13 state budget.

What is of even greater concern to the future of our brigades and their needs is that for the past two years, the total allocation for brigade stations and fire control centres amounts to $5 million from the O’Farrell government. In the last two years of the Kenneally government this allocation for the same time period was over $30 million.

The budget for the tanker replacement program has also been dealt a similar fate and suffered significant reductions without any acknowledgment for the increasing cost of capital items. The cost to government would have been negligible in maintaining reasonable expenditure for this capital infrastructure given that every dollar contributed by it yields nearly $7.00 for the fund.

It is imperative we are mindful of the recently released discussion paper ‘Funding Our Emergency Services’ by the State Government. It is vital that people sift out the true facts in this review process, from the sometimes partial and incorrect statements made by vested interests.

The Association’s concerns evolve not only around the collection of monies and the composition and imposition of a new tax on the people of NSW but also in the manner in which those monies are to be distributed; and the ongoing ability of such a tax to provide increased financial support to the emergency services on a year by year basis, that will meet the needs of NSW communities.

It is most important to note that 95% of properties in NSW are insured thereby attracting the emergency service levy.

From recent meetings with our interstate associations, it is obvious that the property based levy systems imposed in other states have failed the volunteer brigades in providing adequate funding as originally promised.

This Association will actively pursue both the member’s interests and those of the Rural Fire Service in ensuring that the government is made aware of the correct position and is also fully aware of the impact of any decision likely to be made.

The true value of our service to the community of NSW is estimated at $1.6 billion p.a. The credibility of our service is unique and envied by other States and Territories. Any changes therefore that may threaten the relationship between our brigades and communities will be strongly resisted.

Q8: If you are a volunteer Member, why did you join your local brigade?

The overwhelming response to this question in the RFSA Member Survey was ‘to support/protect my community’ (77%).

Another motivator with 5% of responses was ‘family tradition’. It is not uncommon for two and three generations of families to be active in the Rural Fire Service. Alice Strutt of Gladstone/Kempsey RFB and her son, Gerard Wade and her grandson Jesse Wade of Bellbrook RFB are an example of such lineage.

These survey results reflect the strong sense of community spirit and pride; and the relationships brigades have with their communities.

This is the cornerstone of the volunteer ethos of the Rural Fire Service and further reinforces the Association’s aim of Supporting Our Members To Protect The Community.

Greg Quarm, Colin Chapple and Murray Swan being 'master chefs' with some of the equipment received by Weddin Headquarters brigade via the RFSA Grants scheme. Photo: Colin Walsh.

Marilyn Dredge, Tuross Heads RFB, enjoyed Vern Dunning, Division 6 Chairperson handing over the keys to John Cullen, Manager Far South Coast Team for a catering van for the Euro-Bodalla region. The vehicle was obtained with assistance from the RFSA Grants scheme. Photo: Garry Cooper.

Bugaldie Rural Fire Shed was the site of a moving memorial dedication to former RFSA President Chris Lord. More than 70 guests including Mr Lord's wife Elizabeth and sons, Tony and Matt were in attendance. RFSA Vice-President Steve Raymond attended the unveiling. Photo: Chris Nash.

Natalie Keene, (centre) Cooyal RFB, bought two teddy bears from the RFSA shop at the Community Engagement Conference in Wollongong for her two young children, however Ted was on duty offering comfort before Natalie even made it home.

Natalie, Graham Holland and Jane Leary were travelling together back to the Cudgegong district when they came across a MVA at Letts Hill between Blackheath and Lithgow.

They offered the driver to sit in their car while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

Perched on the rear seat of the car were the two Teds. Natalie asked the lady would she like one to hold and she did. Upon cuddling Ted the lady calmed down and stopped shaking almost immediately.

“You don’t think of offering adults a bear for comfort,”said Graham, “but I guess the comfort and security you get from a Ted when you’re younger just mustn’t fade. It was lovely to see.”

I took great ‘heart’ in the June State Council/AGM dinner. It was most rewarding to see the ways in which the Association is supporting you, our members and it was wonderful to see the ways in which you support and inspire each other.

Despite them being a ‘Baby Boomer’ and a ‘Gen Y’er’, inaugural Member of the Year, Clifford Fitness and inaugural Young Member of the Year, Elise Tasker, share a common characteristic. Yes - both are Association members but both strived to achieve and implement for the benefit of fellow members.

Cliff worked extremely hard to ensure that the members of Division 3 enjoy a local RFSA Membership Benefits program that provides discounts from a vast array of businesses; and Elise ensured the voice and needs of our young members was heard across a wide array of Association platforms with effect and maturity.

At the dinner, Elizabeth Philpott championed those present to spread the word about the annual availability of the Chris Lord and President’s scholarships and the potential they offer for members to develop themselves. Elizabeth reminded members they are there for the ‘applying’ and commented that not only did the Association scholarship provide her with the means to enrol in further study but it also gave her the inspiration and confidence (at her age, she added) to do so. It was a reminder that it’s never too late to learn.

With this year’s AGM past, it is now time to think ahead to the next one which will coincide with our biennial conference. I am pleased to announce the next RFSA Conference will be held in Mudgee in June, 2013. Dates will be confirmed soon

The program will again provide a mix of speakers, panels and networking opportunities.

Thanks too, to those of you who sent your story ideas in for consideration for this edition. It’s been good to be able to use some of them. For those of you whose story hasn’t appeared in the July edition - thank you for your contribution, sorry we haven’t been able to use them on this occasion; we’ve kept them on file for September. And please...do keep them coming.

Furio Michelli from Engadine RFB ensured the Association was on the minds and stomachs of all those who attended the Sutherland Branch AGM. Furio asked his daughter Amanda to prepare some ‘branded’ cupcakes. Amanda who runs her own made-to-order cake business baked a range of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with the RFSA logo emblazoned on the top on a pre-baked sheet of edible rice paper. The cakes looked and tasted fantastic with Furio only managing one cake for himself.

I was awarded the RFSA President’s Scholarship in July 2005 by the then President of the RFSA, Steve Yorke. I had always hoped to have the opportunity to undertake further study and the scholarship allowed me to enrol to study for a Bachelor of Social Science (Emergency Management) degree at Charles Sturt University the following year.

Now my studies are complete and I will graduate with great joy on 25th July 2012. It has been a rewarding and at times challenging journey, but one that has enriched my life in so many ways. Following a career in banking, local government, accounting and retail, I commenced work in 1997 as a part time clerical officer with the Cobar District RFS. I blinked a couple of times and soon I was a fulltime administration officer. A country girl with a lifelong family connection to my local bushfire brigade, I had finally found my niche.I was appointed Far West Team Community Safety Officer in 2003 before transferring into the role of Operations Officer in 2006.

It had been a long time since I completed my HSC but I had kept my assignment skills up to date by completing various courses such as Cert IV in Firefighting, a Diploma of Business and variousRFS courses. Sociology & Emergency Management Planning were my first subjects; I admit to being daunted at first by Sociology (& my lecturer) but studying Emergency Management was like working with an old friend.

Amazingly, I got through that semester with great marks in all subjects and absolutely loved the next semester when I studied Psychology. Not really sure if my workmates and family appreciated my continual analysing and questioning of their every move but I certainly learnt a lot from the experience.

However, doing a university degree by distance education should not be sugar coated; it can be a long, hard, lonely road and there were lots of days & many very late nights when I wondered if I would ever finish. My work as an Operations Officer often clashed with the demands of my course and it was a constant juggling of priorities between work, study and family.

I would like to thank the Executive & staff of the RFSA, both past & present, for their assistance & support while I completed my studies. The RFSA President’s Scholarship provided me with fantastic financial support & I am very grateful. I would like to encourage any RFS staff & volunteers who have a dream to further their education, to nominate for the next RFSA Scholarship!

The Association's 2011/12 Executive Report that was presented by the State President, Brian McKinlay and General Manager, Bernard Cox is available in the Member's Only (log in required)section of the RFSA website. This report covers the 12 month period between the State Council AGM in 2011 and 2012.